Not this again! Every few months a Pantera reunion with Zakk Wylde filling in for Dimebag rumor gets circulated, and every few months it gets shut down. Everybody seems to agree that if a theoretical reunion were to ever happen, Zakk Wylde would be the guy to fill in. Drummer Vinnie Paul said it himself, and Zakk said he would be honored to do so. According to a recent interview with the Village Voice, original vocalist Phil Anselmo and Wylde spoke recently about the possibility of such an event:
I talked to Zakk about two weeks ago, and he's very open for it. He's got an open mind about it. But, truth be told, Vince [Abbott] has got a grudge against me that is really unfounded. And, honestly, I've always had a wide-open door when it comes to Vince.
If it takes me standin' there and lettin' that little guy punch me in the fuckin' face repeatedly, over and over and over, til his hands were tired of hittin' my rock-hard fuckin' head, as long as we could sit down and talk afterwards, I'm all for it, man.
Not to throw any judgement at Phil, but to call Vinnie Paul "that little guy" while trying to make amends is probably not the best idea. Ultimately, Phil realizes that a Pantera reunion is not a realistic thing, later adding in the interview:
Well, now, I didn't say that the Pantera thing is a realistic thing. I don't think that's the important thing. I think what the important thing is, what Zakk and I discussed, is just Vince actually dropping his guard and realizing there is no treachery afoot.
Pantera reunion or not, I can't see Vinnie Paul forgiving Phil Anselmo, who he essentially blames for starting up all the controversy that broke up the band and eventually led to a crazy gunman shooting his brother. Ultimately, even if he does, would a reunion with Wylde be seen as a cash grab? One member of the band, bassist Rex Brown said the reunion wouldn't be right without Dimebag, and I can't help but agree.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
